Logging near risky hills: The deadly mudslide near Oso has led the state to take another look at logging. New standards from the Department of Natural Resources will require timber companies to produce a geotechnical report when logging near potentially dangerous landslide areas. Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark made the announcement Friday, saying in statement, “This added scrutiny provides more information to help properly identify potential hazards and avoid impacts.”

Lawyers’ fighting for the poor awarded $2.1 million: A U.S. District Court judge has awarded more than $2.1 million in legal fees and costs to attorneys who worked for several years on a lawsuit that successfully challenged the quality of legal representation given to poor and indigent people in Mount Vernon and Burlington, Skagit County. Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU) filed a lawsuit more than three years ago contending the cities had been indifferent to their responsibilities under the Constitution to provide a meaningful defense to thousands of defendants unable to hire their own attorneys. Reporter Christine Clarridge writes about the decision and the possible impact elsewhere.

Public invited to honor Billy Frank Jr: Services are planned this weekend for Billy Frank Jr., the Nisqually tribal elder who fought for Indian fishing rights and advocated for salmon habitat. A public viewing is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. today at Mills and Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Rd. S.W., Tumwater. More information here on the Sunday funeral in Shelton and burial on the Nisqually Indian Reservation. Also, the Squaxin Island Tribe plans to livestream the funeral services. The livestream will be available here.

Seattle Storm Fan Fest: The Seattle Storm will host a Fan Fest today, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Green Lake Community Center in Seattle. Players and coaches will be at the center’s outdoor basketball court. The event will include a youth basketball clinic, open to kids ages 6 to 16. Tip-off is at 1:30 p.m. Storm players will take the court during the clinic with the participants for instruction and drills. Find out more. Also, Seattle will host Los Angeles in its only preseason game at 1 p.m. Sunday.

About The Today File

The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and includes stories from The Associated Press and McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.